The 2024 Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the fiftieth vintage from one of Coonawarra's founding family estates. Doug and Joy Bowen made their first wine in 1975; their daughter Emma now leads the winemaking, with Doug still in the vineyard. The fruit is 100% estate-grown Cabernet from hand-pruned vines on terra rossa, and 2024 was a warm, even season with cool nights that the Bowens count among their best.
Deep crimson. Cassis, dark plum and blackberry with cedar, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and a herb-garden lift. Medium to full-bodied, with the fine-grained tannin Coonawarra is known for, inky density through the middle and a long, firm, claret-like finish with liquorice and spice. 15% alcohol, screwcap.
97 points, Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal (drink now to 2035+). 95 points, Melissa Moore, The Real Review, ranked second of sixteen 2024 Coonawarra Cabernets. 95 points, Jeremy Oliver. 94 points, Angus Hughson, Vinous.
Ben’s Recommendation:
This is the Coonawarra Cabernet to buy by the case: open one now with grilled steak or roast lamb, and put the rest away for ten years. The 50th-vintage release will not be repeated.
